Agricultural machine



E. B. DEWEY AGRICULTURAL ucanu;

Sept. 14, 1948.

3 Sheets-She et 1 INVENTOR.

Original Filed Feb. 3, 1944 Sept. 14, 1948. E. B. DEWEY 2,449,062

AGRI CULTURAL MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 3, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 14, 1948.

Original Filed Feb. 5, 1944 E. B. DEWEY :wma mum AGRI CULTURAL MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m 5; ll\

INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 14, 1948 bti-ii'ibfl hou s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Divided and this application August 19, 1944, Serial No. 550,265

4 Claims.

This invention is a novel agricultural machine and method adapted to take the place of the moldboard plow and disc harrow in preparing land for the planting of crops, and which in use will take full advantage of weeds, the prior years stubble, and such vegetation as may be used as a green manure crop, for enriching the soil and at the same time stopping soil erosion.

The main object of my invention is to provide an efiicient machine for, and method of, preparing the ground for planting by simultaneously (1) rolling any trash, weeds, or green manure flat on the surface of the ground by means of a roller, (2) cutting same by means of a series of sharp cutting discs following directly behind the roller, and (3) turning the cut surface vegetation into the surface of the soil by means of a series of concave-convex discs following directly behind the cutting discs and set at an angle to the direction of forward movement of the machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine consisting of a series of rollers, cutting discs and concave-convex discs mounted in a single frame or a series of frames connected together for the purpose hereinafter described, with provision for putting additional penetrational force on the discs by use of removable weights on the frame of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description.

The present application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 520,940, filed February 3, 1944, entitled Agricultural machines, now abandoned.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several practical embodiments thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the essential features of the invention, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of my agricultural machine drawn by a tractor and showing in dotted lines removable water tanks on the frame to give additional penetrational pressure on the discs.

Fig. 2 is a top lan view of the machine how/n in Fig. 1.

2 Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-section through the top-soil and sub-soil of land showing (A) the trash and weeds on the surface; (B) the eflect after use of my agricultural machine to cut the trash and weeds into the surface; and (C) the effect after use of a conventional moldboard plow to turn the trash and weeds under in the usual manner.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified agricultural machine carried by the rear end of a tractor.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a further modification in which a grain drill is added.

Fig. 6 is a to plan view of the machine shown in Fi 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on the line 'l-l, Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 88, Fig. 6.

I have shown by the chart (in Fig. 3) what happens to the top-soil and sub-soil when the usual moldboard plow is used; and how same differs in operation and results as compared by the use of my invention. 0n the charge (Fig. 3)

the letter A shows the position of plant life, topsoil and sub-soil. B shows how my invention operates to cut the plant life into the top-soil, thereby supplying food for the crops to be planted, and acting as a binder to hold the top-soil-together and stop erosion without interrupting the capillary action that supplies moisture to the plants. C shows the results of using a moldboard plow for turning under and burying plant life so that same is out of reach of the roots of the new crops, interrupting the capillary action that supplies moisture for new growth and drawing away surface moisture, leaving the top-soil in such a condition that erosion easily follows.

My invention used in preparing the soil for planting will give the following result-s as have been shown in the farmer's bulletins of the Department of Agriculture entitled "Stubble-Mulch Farming for Soil Defense (No. 1917) and "Summer Crops for Green Manure and Soil Improvement (No. 1750)" and in "Plowmans Folly" by Edward Faulkner, published by the University of Oklahoma Press.

1. Halt erosion which is washing away our fertile lands into the river and seas.

2. Replenish the land where usefulness for farrnigg is dying away.

3."'Enrich the land that is already producing crops.

4. Produce more yield per acre.

5. Produce better crops and vegetables with more food value to the consumer.

6. Reduce crop damage by disease and parasites.

7. Reduce if not eliminate the need for commercial fertilizer.

8. Ease and simplify farm work in a time when labor is short.

My agricultural machine is adapted to be either tractor drawn as in Figs. 1 and 2, or tractor supported, as in Figs. 4 and 5.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the type in which the machine is tractor drawn. Tractor A is of commercial type provided with an hydraulic ram (not shown) and carries an arm B mounted on a. horizontal pivot C and actuated by said hydraulic ram, the arm B being normally locked in the position to which it is set or adjusted by said ram. The tractor also includes rear wheels D mounted on axle sections E operated by a motor F through differential housing G in the usual manner. The particular construction of the tractor A however forms no part of my present invention.

The machine (Figs. 1 and 2) preferably comprises one or a series of pairs of parallel frames each carrying a roller, a series of cutting wheels,-

and a series of concavo-ccnvex discs arranged as shown, in a leading unit H and a trailing unit J. The leading unit H preferably comprises a pair of substantially parallel rectangular frames I which are preferably of open type and provided with longitudinal members 2 (Figs. 2 and 7) intermediate their ends for posts 3 having threaded upper ends passing through holes therein at the centers of the members and retained by nuts 4, the lower ends of posts 3 carrying bearings for the axles 5 of the discs 6 which are preferably of concave-convex type in the usual manner, the discs 6 being spaced along the axle 5 of each frame I which axles are disposed lengthwise of said frames.

Each post 3 of the pair carries a swivelled and bifurcated curved tongue I and these are pivotally connected as at 8 on the axis of tractor A whereby the frames I may be swung from parallel relationship into angular relation-shina connecting bar 9 at the adjacent inner ends of the frames I being pivotally connected thereto as at I0, Fig. 2, the bolts I passing through frame members II in each frame similar to the members 2 above described. Thus the inner ends of the pair of frames I are pivotally connected by means of the connecting link 9, while the outer ends remain fixed, the inner ends being actuated as herein described to bring the frame sections into or out of alignment.

In order to actuate the pair of frames I, tongues I2 are provided similar to the tongues I, above described, but of shorter length, the same being pivoted together as at I3 on the axis of the tractor, said pivot pin I3 being carried by a link I4 having an eye in its outer end into which one end of a cable I5 is secured, the other end of the cable passing under a pulley I6 Which is rotatably mounted on a pull bar H, the front end of which is connected as at I8 to the differential housing G or other part of the tractor while its rear end carries the pivot pin 8 of tongues 1.

The opposite ends of cable I5 is connected as at I5a to swinging lever B carried by the tractor,

above described, so that as the lever B is raised from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a raised position, the cable I5 and link I4 and the tongues I2 will be pulled forwardly to bring the pair of frames I into alignment, while as above stated the tongues 1 will remain stationary. Thus, by adjusting the position of lever B of the tractor by means of the hydraulic ram, the amount of angularity of the discs 6 carried by the pairs of frames I may be adjusted to vary the cut performed by the concavo-convex discs 6 on the shafts 5 which may be adjusted from position of axial alignment in which the discs 6 will not cut but will merely roll along the ground. Instead of lever B, however, any other pulling means for cable I5 may be used.

On each frame I extending from the forward corners thereof are downwardly inclined arms I9 in the outer lower ends of which are journaled links 20 (Fig. 1), the outer ends of which carry journals for the shaft 2I of roller 22, which roller 22 is disposed parallel with the axis of its related frame I, the roller being adapted to roll along the round and mash or roll down any vegetable or other growth, rubbish, twigs, green manure, etc., which may lie in its path.

Links 20 are yieldably urged downwardly by means of bolts 23 passing through bores in the links and disposed substantially parallel with the downwardly inclined arms I9, the upper ends of the bolts 23 being carried by lugs 24 depending from the undersides of the inclined arms I9. Around each bolt 23 between the lug 24 and link 20 is a coiled spring 25 normally urging the end of the link 20 to swing away from the lug 24 so as to maintain the roller 22 yieldably engaged with the ground surface.

Extending between the downwardly inclined arms I9 of each frame I is a rigid member 26 which is horizontally disposed and parallel with its related frame I. At the approximate center of each member 26 is a horizontal member 2'! having one and mounted upon the member 25 and its other end secured to a downwardly depending post or lug 28 on the adjacent frame I, the member 21 having a hinged connection with lug 28.

In order to forcibly depress the inclined arms IS a screw shaft 29 is provided in a fixed nut 33 carried by the frame I, said screw shaft having its lower end rotatably connected by a ball or other joint to the member 21, said screw shaft 29 carrying a crank 30 at its upper end, so that as the crank 30 is rotated in one direction the member 21 and arms I 9 will be depressed, or will be raised when crank 30 is rotated in the opposite direction.

Spaced upon the member 26 of each frame I, substantially opposite each of the discs 6, are sharpened cutting wheels 3|, each cutting wheel being mounted in a caster yoke 32 having its upper end swivelled in the fixed member 'ifi of the frame, so that raising and lowering the member 21 will correspondingly raise and lower the cutting wheels 3| with respect to the ground surface, and as the caster yokes are swivelled the wheels 3| themselves will be drawn forwardly irrespective of the adjusted angularity of the frames, i. e., the angle of cut of the concave-convex discs 6 as shown in Fig. 2. The vertical adjustment, however, of the cutting wheels 3I will not materially affect the downward pressure of the roll 22, owing to the provision of the springs 25 above mentioned.

By the above arrangement the frames I of the leading unit H may be adjusted for angularity to bliiflii'bi'i HUUN vary the characteristics of the cut of the discs 6 while the cutting wheels 3I may be adjusted as regards depth of cut by manipulating the hand cranks 30. However, the rollers 22 will be yieldably depressed with substantially constant pressure into contact with the ground surface.

In order to vary the downward pressure of the concave-convex discs 6 with respect to the ground, tanks such as shown in dotted lines at 34 in Fig. 1 may be removably placed upon the tops of the frames I and filled with varying amounts of water or other liquid to adjust the weight; or the tanks may be removed and objects such as stones or the like placed upon the tops of the frames I; or the tanks 34 may be replaced with seed hoppers 12.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the trailing unit J is similar in general to the leading unit H, and therefore like parts are similarly lettered. However, in the trailing unit J the discs 6' are faced in the opposite direction from those in the leading unit H but are positioned on the shafts 5 so as to be disposed midway between the discs 6 of the leading unit H. In the trailing unit J, when the frames I of the trailing unit J are set for cutting, the angularity between the pair of frames I thereof is equal to but opposite from the angularity of the pair of frames I of the leading unit H, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2.

In the trailing unit J, the tongues I are similar to the tongues I of the leading unit H, and are pivoted together as at 8 on the bar I4, previously described, so as to be operated simultaneously therewith, said tongues I of unit J being movable with the tongues I2 of the leading unit H. The fixed tongues I2 in the trailing section however meet on the axis of the tractor and are pivoted together as at I3 and the pivot carried by a link 35 pivotally connected as at 36 to the connecting bar 9 of the leading unit H. In the trailing section J a connecting bar 9, similar to bar 9 of the leading section H, pivotally connects the inner ends of the pair of frames I together.

By the above construction the inner ends of the pair of frames I of the leading unit H, and the outer ends of the pair of frames I of the trailing unit J are simultaneously movable by and with the draw bar I4, the arrangement being such that the pairs of frames of units H and J will simultaneously assume corresponding but opposite angularities with respect to the transverse axis of the tractor, as shown in Fig. 2.

The operation of the trailing unit J, except for the above mentioned differences, is similar in all respects to that of the leading unit above described, the concavo-convex discs 6 of the leading unit H cutting the surface from one angularity, and the oppositely facing concavo-convex discs 6' of the trailing unit J cutting the surface from the opposite direction, so as to disc the surface of the ground uniformly, but finely or coarsely as desired.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 8 the tractor A is similar in all respects to that previously described and its specific construction forms no part of my present invention, but in this modification a single unit K is supported and carried directly by the tractor A at the rear end thereof. The single unit K comprises an open frame 40 of rectangular shape and is provided with converging V-struts M at each end housing and carrying the outer bearings 48 for the shafts 49 of the discs 50 hereinafter described.

The front end of frame 40 is pivotally connected at opposite sides of the center line to spaced links 42 respectively pivotally connected to the rear end of the tractor, as at 43, said links serving to draw the frame 40 along the ground.

Pivoted to the outer end of each link 42 is an upright link 44 (Fig. 4) having its upper end pivotally connected with the rear end of an upper link 45, the forward end of which link 45 is also pivotally connected to the tractor above the pivots 43, the links 42-45 thereby serving as substantially parallel links. Extending downwardly and rearwardly from each upright link 44 adjacent its upper end is an inclined arm 46 which has its lower end connected as at 41 to the top of the rear end of the frame 40. In this modification, rods 48' each have one end attached to the swinging lever B of the tractor and its other end engaged with the lower parallel arm 42 intermediate its length, so that as the arm B is raised by the hydraulic ram the substantially parallel links 4245 will be raised, thereby bodily lifting the entire unit above the ground surface while maintaining the frame 40 substantially parallel with the ground surface.

In the apex of each of the V-frames 4| at each end of frame 40 is a sliding and universal journal 48 for the related shaft section 49 upon which the related discs 50 are mounted, each shaft section 49 extending approximately onehalf the Width of the frame 40, and the discs on the pair of shaft sections 49 being faced in opposite directions, as shown in Fig. 6.

The inner ends of shaft sections 49 are swivelly connected together as shown more particularly in Fig. 8, the inner ends of the shafts 49 having enlarged disc-like heads 5| thereon which are embraced by split bearing members 5253 having complementary bores respectively receiving the enlarged heads 5I and the adjacent ends of the shaft sections 49 as indicated in Fig. 8.

Each split bearing 52-53 is bolted or otherwise secured together to clamp same around the inner ends of the shaft sections 49, and each of the bearings 53 is provided with tapped studs 54 receiving nuts 55, the studs passing through holes in a sliding plate 56 arranged to slide axially of the tractor so that as the plate 56 is moved, the inner ends of the shaft sections 49 will be simultaneously shifted forwardly or rearwardly to bring the shaft sections 49 into or out of axial alignment.

Plate 56 is slidably mounted in guides 51 formed at the lower end of a sub-frame 58 secured to the underside of the frame 40 as shown in Fig. 8, and said plate is provided with tapped bearing 59 receiving a screw shaft 60 which is suitably journaled in the frames 40 and 58, and which carries a hand crank 6| at one end whereby rotation of the screw shaft 6|] will move the nut 59, thereby pulling the sliding plate 56 back or forth to adjust the angularity of the shaft sections 49, the sliding bearings 48 at the opposite ends of the shaft sections 49 taking care of the lengthening and shortening of the sections 49 during such adjustment. Thus, the angularity of the pairs of oppositely inclined discs 50 at opposite sides of the sub-frame 58 may be adjusted by mere rotation of the hand crank 6| to adjust the characteristics of the cut effected by the discs 50.

In the modification (Figs. 4, 6 and 8) forwardly extending arms 62 are pivoted at each end or the frame 40 on the axle sections 49 adlament the bearings 48, said arms 62 carrying at 7 their outer ends bearings 63 for a single roller 64 which yieldably engages the ground in advance of fife discs 50 as in the previously described modifications.

On the arms 62 intermediate their ends are bearings 65 for the shaft 56 of cutting wheels 61 which shaft 66 is disposed parallel with the frame 40. Wheels 61 are adapted to cut the stubble or other vegetation on the ground in advance of the concavo-convex discs 50 so as to prevent fouling of the latter. In order to yieldably depress the outer ends of arms 62, I provide bolts 68 having their upper ends locked in lugs '69 carried by the frame 40, said bolts 68 having thereon adjustable collars 10 and the lower ends of the bolts having a slotted sliding engagement with the shaft 66 of the cutting wheels 61.

On the bolts 68, between the collars l and shaft 66, are coiled springs H normally urging the shaft 66 downwardly to yieldably urge the cutters 67 into the ground and to yieldably maintain the roll 64 in contact with the ground surface.

By the above construction, when in operation, the entire assembly may be readily raised or lowered by merely manipulating the arm B of the tractor by the hydraulic ram to raise the arms 42-45 which support the frame 40, such raising being desirable particularly when turning the tractor around at the end of a cut or plowing operation, or when going to or from the Work. By rotating the hand crank 8| the shaft sections 49 of the discs 50 may be adjusted to different angularities to control the characteristics of the cut, and as in the previously described modifications the roll 64 will roll down any stubble, or other vegetation which maybe in the way of the cutting wheels 61 and the concavo-convex discs 50.

As shown in Fig. 5, in conjunction with the modifications shown in Figs. 1 and 4, grain drills may also be utilized, the same consisting of one or more grain hoppers I2 removably carried by the frame 40, the same resting at their lower ends on the rear portions of the frame 40, their upper ends being maintained by means of a stirrup or strap 13, as shown. The feed valves for the hopper are usually of the rotary type and may be simultaneously and readily operated from a valve shaft 14 carrying a sprocket 15, a chain 16 running over the sprocket 15 and under a sprocket 11 mounted on the outer end of the disc shaft 49 as indicated in Fig. 5, the chain tensioning roller 18 being positioned on the frame 40 and engaging the chain 16. Instead of using a chain, a belt or other desired drive may be substituted, the chain sprocket drive as shown merely illustrating one convenient means for driving the feed valve of the grain hopper 72 with the movement of the unit along the ground surface. The outlets of the valve chambers of the hopper I2 may be connected with flexible boots or tubes 1-9 discharging in rear of and adjacent to the bottom edge of the discs 50, as shown.

Thus. my invention provides various modifications of the agricultural machine adapted to disc an unplowed ground surface and at the same time out the rubble stubble, green manure, etc., lying thereon, and simultaneously out said rubble, etc., into the surface of the soil while opening furrows into its surface, and as a further modification providing means for planting seeds in the opened furrows. Obviously the feed hopper may be omitted and the units used merely to harrow or disc the surface, at the same time cutting the rubble thereinto, thereby preserving the fertilizing qualities of said rubble.

I do not limit my invention to the exact forms shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. An agricultural machine comprising frames disposed end to end; connecting means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the frames together; means for shifting the frames into and out of axial alignment transversely of the direction of pull; adjustable axle sections carried by the frames respectively and disposed substantially end to end transversely of the direction of pull; opposed series of spaced concavo-convex ground engaging discs carried by the axle sections respe tively; a series of spaced cutting wheels carried by each frame in advance of the discs and disposed transversely of the direction of pull; means carried by each frame in advance of the cutting wheels for rolling the ground surface; and means for yieldably urging the rolling means and cutting wheels into contact with the ground.

2. In combination with a tractor having a power actuated arm, a pair of frame sections substantially aligned transversely of the axis of said tractor; means for pulling the frame sections by the tractor; axle sections carried by the respective frame sections, said axle sections being aligned when the frame sections are aligned; connecting means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the frame sections together; means actuated by the tractor arm for shifting the frame sections into and out of axial alignment transversely of the axis of the tractor; opposed series of spaced concavo-convex ground engaging discs carried by the axle sections respectively; series of spaced cutting wheels carried by the frame sections respectively in advance of their related discs and disposed transversely of the axis of the tractor; and means on the frame sections respectively for yieldably urging the cutting wheels into contact with the ground surface.

3. In combination with a tractor having a a power actuated arm; a pair of frame sections substantially aligned transversely of the axis of said tractor; means for pulling the frame sections by the tractor; axle sections carried by the respective frame sections, said axle sections being aligned when the frame sections are aligned; connecting means pivotally connecting the inner ends of the frame sections together; means actuated by the tractor arm for shifting the frame sections into and out of axial alignment transversely of the axis of the tractor; opposed series of spaced concave-convex ground engaging discs carried by the axle sections respectively; series of spaced cutting wheels carried by the frame sections respectively in advance of their related discs and disposed transversely of the axis of the tractor; ground rolls carried by the frame sections respectively in advance of their related cutting wheels; and means on the frame sections respectively for yieldably urging the ground rolls and cutting wheels into contact with the ground.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, a similar trailing pair of frame sections drawn by the first mentioned pair and having axle sections carrying similarly mounted cutting discs and havin similar cutting wheels and ground engaging rolls; the discs of the trailing pair being oppositely faced from those of their related first pair; and said frame actuating means shifting the frame sections of the trailing pair into equal but opposite angularities with respect to those of thofirst pair.

' EDWARD BRADLEY DEWEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,333 White June 8, 1943 634,997 Rogers Oct. 1'7, 1899 677,140 Owens June 25, 1901 1,062,660 Nugent May 27, 1913 1,362,279 Youmans Dec, 14, 1920 1,611,358 Miller Dec. 21, 1926 10 Number Name Date 1,670,838 Boda. May 22, 1928 1,762,258 Chenoweth June 10, 1930 2,306,127 Johnston Dec. 22, 1942. 5 2,343,482 Slmonka. Mar. 7, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 52,579 Germany July 2, 1890 10 OTHER REFERENCES Farm Machinery, by Archie A. Stone, published by John Wiley 8: Sons, 1928 (page 71, lines 1-6, and page '72, lines 5-6).

Farm Machinery and Equipment, by H. P. Smith, published by McGraw Hill Book Co., 1929 (page 75, lines 6-10). 

